Storage Traffic in a Converged 10 Gigabit Ethernet Network

The advantages of IEEE 802.3TM Ethernet are well documented and established for implementation in traditional Local Area Networks (LAN). The role of Ethernet in the LAN data center is evolving beyond the interconnection of clients, servers and switches. The modern Ethernet, specifically 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE), is becoming the new interconnection technology of choice for Storage Area Networks (SAN) using the Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) protocol on an IP-based network. The usage of Ethernet infrastructure is being further extended by a relatively new protocol that maps Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). This allows servers, storage, and management devices to communicate over Ethernet links in a converged data center fabric.